Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain)

Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain)

Britain's best Bank Holiday beaches (just in case it doesn't rain)

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Southwold Beach> in Suffolk is a charming destination known for its colourful array of wooden beach huts. The beach itself is a regular winner of the acclaimed 'Blue Flag' award, with its golden sands proving exquisite summer relaxation or long walks all the year round

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Blackpool Pleasure Beach is Britain’s most popular tourist attraction thanks to its miles of award-winning beaches and more than 125 rides and shows. This is the quintessential British seaside experience with a chance to have some old-fashioned fun with traditional attractions such as donkey rides and Punch and Judy shows. Thrill-seekers will be in heaven with white knuckle rides such as the 235ft high Pepsi Max Big One

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Located at the tip of the picturesque Gower Peninsula, Rhossili beach in Wales is a three-mile strip of sand popular with surfers, bathers and fishermen. Visitors come here for the spectacular clifftop walks and a chance to check out the mysterious shipwrecks that are visible at low tide

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Lowestoft boasts three fine, sandy beaches and is a perfect spot for anyone wanting to try a spot of windsurfing or jet skiing. Those with no need for adrenalin sports can take a gentle walk along the pier or try their hand at crazy golf

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Burnham-on-Sea: The Somerset coastline has something for everyone; busy seaside resorts, picturesque towns and harbours, marinas and stunning coastline. You can sunbathe on golden sandy beaches, enjoy the amusements, take part in a wide variety of water sports or go for a relaxing cruise on the Bristol Channel. There are also beautiful coastal routes to walk, sites of Special Scientific Interest, nature reserves and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty to enjoy

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Holkham in Norfolk is a romantic and isolated stretch of sand, that is perfect for sunbathing, picnicking or horse-riding along the shore. A fringe of pine trees and breathtaking dunes that form part of England's largest nature reserve make it an ideal getaway. No wonder producers chose it as the setting for the final scene in the movie Shakespeare in Love, when Gwyneth Paltrow walked across its sands

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Known for being windswept and atmospheric, Dungeness in Kent is a mecca for anglers looking to land an elusive 20 pounder. Bass fishing is good here. In late summer and early autumn, fishermen come for the bass and flatfish, as well as the large numbers of sole, plaice and flounder

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Lulworth Cove in Dorset is a beautiful shell-shaped cove, formed over millions of years. It provides a great place to relax on the beaches, swim in the cove or even go diving in the many great spots in and out of the cove. The cove has recently been placed into the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline, which should help to preserve this most picturesque of destinations

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Visitors will return year after year to Tenby in Wales thanks to its miles of sandy beaches and charming heritage: it is a historic walled town built in the 13th century. Divided into the North and South beach areas, there is something for everyone in Tenby, but the wide expanse of golden sands will always prove to be its biggest draw

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With its expanse of golden sands and sparkling water Weymouth Beach in Dorset must surely be one of the best family beaches along the South Coast. All the favourite beach attractions are at hand, including Punch & Judy, donkey rides and fun things to try out such as swingboats, trampolines, carousels and a helter skelter. Of course, all you really need to have fun in Weymouth is a bucket and spade

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Sandbanks Beach in Poole is claimed to be the best beach on the south coast of England, and the fact it has become one of the most expensive places to live in the world reflects that. A small peninsula, it boasts fine golden sand and the knowledge that you are sharing the beautiful view with some of the richest people in the country

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From Blue Flag award-winning beaches to secret, hidden rocky coves, Scotland's unspoilt coastline has literally kilometres of unspoilt coastline. Despite the sometimes inclement weather, the country can boast some of the most stunning beaches anywhere. Apart from sunbathing – if the weather allows - the wonderfully clean sandy beaches, such as Machir Bay, pictured here, are perfect for strolling or, for the more adventurous, trying out exciting sports such as kite-surfing

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Robin Hood's Bay, situated in the dramatic and rugged scenery of the North Yorkshire coastline, is probably one of the most picturesque fishing villages in the country. Tourists coming to discover its historic charm and the spectacular views over the wide bay. The village is set amongst a network of steeply sloping streets, steps and alleyways and retains a strong historic link with the sea, reminiscent of days gone by with fishermen in small boats and smugglers dodging the excise men. Strangely, the actual origin of the name remains a mystery. There is no evidence to suggest that Robin Hood of Sherwood Forest folklore visited the Bay

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The Isle of Wight currently has 13 award winning beaches, including three blue flag winners, all of which are managed and maintained to the highest standard. In the summer the island is a magnet for holidaymakers in search of sun, sea and sand. There are 60 miles of beaches to discover, with many set amongst areas of dramatic natural beauty or hidden beneath huge cliffs, like Alum Bay, pictured here

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Cornwall is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the UK. Thanks to its unique position on the south west peninsula, 80 per cent of the county is surrounded by water, making for the longest stretch of coastline in the UK at 697km. Wherever you are in Cornwall a stroll across the sand or a game of beach rounders is only a maximum of 16 miles away. And with over 300 beaches to choose from you never have to visit the same one twice. Pictured is Whipsiderry Beach, Newquay, at low tide

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With the weather man trying to beat the hose pipe-ban with admirable belligerence, you're unlikely to find yourself basking on warm sands this Bank Holiday weekend.

But we're hoping to will a bit of sunshine into existence by looking at the best British beaches you could spend next Monday relaxing on if the rain goes away.

Whether it's the beach huts of Southwold, the amusements of Blackpool or the sharp stones of Brighton, Britain has plenty of beach culture to choose from.

Let's get our swimsuits, deck chairs and knotted hankies at the ready - and pray for the weather.